Using Power of Attorney - what are people's experience?

Grumpysally

(I'm not sure if I've posted on the right forum)

In 2020 I registered financial LPA's for both my parents. To be used immediately if necessary, not just if they lost capacity.

I foolishly thought it would easy to use when the time came. Get a code from the government website, send that code to the appropriate organisation, job done...

I've just tried to do this with Vodafone for my dad and all I can find is a link to a PDF form to complete and attach certificated copies and email to them and they will respond within 30-40 days. We have an urgent matter to sort out and at the moment they will only speak to me when he is present. (I do understand the reasons for this).

A quick look at the Co-op bank website and again there seems no simple way to register. 

This was something I thought would be straight forward and quick to put in place. Now I'm realising it's not. 

It's become apparent that although they retain capacity they need help dealing with their finances, simply because of the way things have changed. For example money has been building up in their current accounts to a frightening point where they would lose a lot of money should someone access their accounts. They haven't been able to get to a bank for the last few years to transfer it to their savings account.  In fact my dad's bank no longer has a local branch.  

How have other people found dealing with organisations to put LPA in place?
Is there a list anywhere of which organisations will use the codes issued from the government website?

Thanks

KxMx

No experience but if there is an urgent need to register a POA with a particular organisation, and they have a long winded process, it's worth phoning them to see of there may be a fast track process or something else they can do. 

I know from my research HSBC accept the code. 

Fruitcake

My experience of LPOA for both financial and health and welfare is that most establishments want to see a certified copy, or the original. Never post an original. Most establishments will return the certified copy.

There are a few places where you can get a certified copy for free including some local councils and in our case our independent financial advisor who is a certified SOLLA (Society Of Later Life Advisors) agent. Failing that you will probably have to visit each establishment in turn, in person, and get the LPOA registered.
It's a pain in the backside, but we found in some cases it was the only way to turn up in person. In some cases (banks etcetera) we had to make an appointment first.

The other thing we did was to take my our respective parents to their bank and link their account to ours, but that only works if you both have the same bank. That way we could log into our bank account and then access our parent's account so we could pay bills and move money for them. We were able to do this before we had LPOAs set up.
Make sure everyone takes ID with them.

otb666

yes we use online banking with our FIL on his PC..  Would not do it on mobile phone due to scammers

jlfrs01

I had LPA status over my father's financial affairs for 3 years. As others have commented, there is a process involved:

1: Complete the form available from the Office of the Public Guardian. This will need signing by both parents and a GP visit to interview and sign as well. There are options for multiple POA's and how involved your parents want to remain in the handling of their affairs ( such as whether they grant full decision-making to the nominated LPA or with their consultation for example).
This is obviously time-consuming and there is a fee involved of course, certainly to the OPG and possibly to the GP.

2: Once granted, you will get an original copy back which you can then take to your friendly solicitor to make certified copies of.

3: When contacting your parents' financial providers (banks, life assurance, investment companies, credit card providers, even utilities), they will certainly want to have a certified copy to keep on file. I would recommend you assess how many interested parties will need to be contacted to know how many copies you will need.

4: The Banks will ask you make an appointment to come in branch or if internet only, done via post and will set up the existing bank accounts in joint names. You will get cheque books, debit and credit cards in your own name to use when it comes to paying monies out.

5: Remember to keep a record of all spending and it is vital that your own personal finances are kept entirely separate from your parents' affairs.

6: In my own parents' case, they had 3 bank accounts and 2 savings accounts. To ease the burden of administration, I consolidated all of them into 1 main bank account. It also helped with the handling of their Estate after they passed away.

Good luck!